Conjecture

Revelation

November 1956

Andrew's P.O.V.

I couldn't wait to return home. Leaving was for all but the betterment. My time in London was wonderful as ever. But I missed the liveliness of my city. Moreover I missed my cheerful buddy whose face I couldn't wait to see. I waved my mother whom I missed just as much.

"Hey sweetie. How've you been? It's been ages" Mom cried, hugging me tight.

"I've been alright. I missed you so much" I said, holding her back.

"Mum, where's Aiden? And Cara?" I asked, just as eager. She bit her lip and turned to look out the window. She was trying to keep off the topic but I know we have to speak on it.

"Your aunt is over today. Just to see you" She flipped the topic.

"Mum, I know we fell apart five years ago and I was a coward to run away like that. That doesn't mean I didn't miss them. I did, a lot more that I thought I would. I didn't accept my mistake then. I just want to apologize now-" I went on. Though I told my mom all about it, I didn't expect her to become so protective of me.

"And you won't be able to apologize" She whispered. A lone tear running down her moist pink cheeks.

"What do you mean?" I interrogated, my brow raising automatically.

"Aiden died the day before" She said, stopping the car by the road. Those words didn't make sense. Aiden was a strong guy. Nothing could happen to Aid. I gave my mom a weird look.

"Stop kidding around mum. Aiden is healthy and alive" I said confidently. Aiden is my friend. And he is there. He would be probably playing some of his video games on his basement or stringing his guitar. But for some unknown reason, my heartbeat sped up. Aiden can't be dead.

Mum hugged me and rubbed my back, soothing me like she always did when I was young.

"The neighbors found his body the other morning. He was murdered." She further informed.

"Murdered?" I muttered. My head fell into my hands as I mourned over my dead friend.

"Yes. It is pretty unbelievable. But he wasn't the boy you knew. Not anymore. He changed, Drew" My mom whispered.

"How's Cara?" I asked.

"She came over yesterday. She was missing you so much. She cried, saying both her best friends left her"

"I wanna go home" I demanded and mum keyed the engine to life.

***

The beach and the shed brings out so many memories. The guitar which stayed untouched for five years lay cradled in my arms. I never played until Aiden gave me guitar lessons when we 14, and gifted me this amazing instrument for Christmas so I wouldn't use his anymore.

I remember every single detail of what happened before I left. I regret every single thing I said and did.

Flashback starts***

July, 1949

'If not now, then never' I told my gut and stood strong. I gotta do it. And that too, now. It was perfect. Just me and Cara. Even her name gave me tingles. She came, my eyes bulging out and my heart racing like crazy. Her yellow sundress shining so bright, it made her honey brown eyes stand out. She waved at me as I walked to her.

"H-hey Cara" I stuttered. We've been best friends since I can remember. Why was I even stuttering?

"Hello Andrew" She greeted skeptically. The fear of rejection tried taking over but I was not going to suppress my feelings anymore.

"CaraIreallylikeyou" I muttered so fast that even I couldn't make out what I said. So I repeated again "Cara I really like you. I think I always have" I said, building the courage to look her straight in the eye. She flinched but talked clear.

"I think I like you too" She said.

It made my day. I hugged her tight. Not before I received a punch in my gut.

"How dare you like her?" He growled. "She's mine" He screamed.

"Aiden stop" I managed. I spit the blood and he looked at me with such hatred that it cut knives into my nerves.

"You knew I liked her" Aiden said, glaring daggers at me.

"I liked her too" I whispered.

"But you can't." He fumed. Now my manhood was challenged. I couldn't stay quiet.

"What if I do this?" I pulled her close and gave her a small peck on the cheek.

Aiden pushed me to the ground and punched me continuously. I slapped him hard across the face and he wailed in pain. I kicked him in the gut.

"I hate you Aiden Bree. Didn't know you were such a selfish brat. If you were a good friend, you would've been happy for us. Come on Cara" I held her hand and pulled her along.

When I went home that night, I told my mom everything that happened and she alongside my dad decided to send me off to London at my uncle's place.

I left the following week and started high school. That was the last time I'd seen Aiden. He didn't try to reach out, neither did I.

*** Flashback ends

My eyes filled with tears again as the memory replayed at the back of my mind. Aiden was my best friend and I should've been more compromising. He was short tempered and I knew it. I should've laid back. But at the age of 18, I couldn't have helped it. Our lifelong friendship was damaged that day and that day was the last time I saw him. The last time I spoke with him was the time I told him that I hated him and that he wasn't a good friend. And I regret it the most. I bawl my eyes out.

My best friend was murdered. And as the sunlight faded away, making way for the stars to shine, I made a promise. To my dead friend. To our damaged friendship. I will not let the killer get away, though I get in trouble, I will avenge my friend's death. No matter what happens.